WIBU to apply for Special Consideration?

[HowToTrainYourTeen]

DD is due to sit her GCSE maths exams next week. FIL passed away on the weekend, which means DD would be eligible for Special Consideration (essentially she'd get 5% of the total marks added on). I really don't think FIL's death will affect her performance at all, but based on her performance in practice papers these marks will almost certainly be the difference between grades. WIBU to apply for the extra marks?

You would not be unreasonable at all imo

if you dont think it will affect her performance then why ask for it? that to me says youre just wanting to bump up her marks a bit

If you are absolutely certain that your dd will not be affected in any way(ie never met/had any kind of relationship with her grandfather) then it would be wrong to apply but if you only don't think she will be affected then you should apply as she may be more upset than you think

I definitely would. No-one has any idea how it might affect her on the day, but by then it might be too late. I applied for this at uni after a death in the family and it was a real comfort to know that if I underperformed that there would be a safety net.

she may be more upset than you think

Absolutely

I applied for dd (not for a death) she may well have been fine during the exam but i had no idea if that was the case

Have you spoken to the schools Exams Officer? The death of a grandparent wouldn’t be approved by the exam boards for special consideration unless the grandparent was also a carer.

Of course they may submit the request anyway as there is no harm in trying and the worst that will happen is you are told no.

@ApplePlumPie

Have you spoken to the schools Exams Officer? The death of a grandparent wouldn’t be approved by the exam boards for special consideration unless the grandparent was also a carer.

Of course they may submit the request anyway as there is no harm in trying and the worst that will happen is you are told no.

Yes my understanding is immediate family...

I don't think grandparents are considered immediate family.

No i agree click

I dont think they count as immediate either

(Did not express myself at all well in that other post 😀)

@ApplePlumPie

Have you spoken to the schools Exams Officer? The death of a grandparent wouldn’t be approved by the exam boards for special consideration unless the grandparent was also a carer.

Of course they may submit the request anyway as there is no harm in trying and the worst that will happen is you are told no.

The exam board's website also mentions a 4% increase for deaths in the extended family within the last month, so chances are it'll still be accepted under that.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer

It was pure coincidence that my post followed yours. You expressed yourself quite clearly 🙂

When you say it won't affect her performance, do you mean on the day? Did the bereavement affect her revision?

It will be a stressful time for your family arranging a funeral in lockdown, so please don't underestimate how it will all effect her, the grief of her father alone. And put the measures in place to counter this on her behalf, its there for a reason.

I enquired for dss as his grandad died 2 days into gcses (summer series) 2 years ago. Was told incredibly unlikely and it was refused.

As a member of senior staff who oversees exams, just to say the 5% is a continuum. In my experience the death of a grandparent just before an exam is very likely to be given a maximum of a 1% increase.

What does your husband think of you using his father's death in this way?

I took an exam the day before my uncles funeral. It was hell. I wish I'd known about Special Consideration even though I passed, just so some pressure could be taken off.

Do it.

@MinistryOfTragic it was actually his suggestion.

My DD could have asked special consideration due to a medical condition. Unreality although it affected her, she had learnt over the years to compensate for it. She didn't need special consideration and it didn't cross our mind to ask for it.

You shouldn't either.

@HowToTrainYourTeen I only ask because my husband once used my mother's death to gain something, less trivial than this admittedly, and I've never really forgiven it.

You said you don’t think the death will have any effect on her, so you’re basically asking if it’s ok cheat and get her marks that she didn’t merit.

It’s nasty that you have this many posts/votes encouraging you to do it.

I was totally with you until you said that you don’t think it will affect her.
YANBU if you are concerned about the impact on your child...
But for you it seems it’s more -
YABU to use it as an excuse to try and bump grades.

I feel like it's a bit gross to use a death in this way when you yourself say you don't think it will affect her. Like other pp, I was with you until you said that.